Yes, but like I said, lots of NHLers play in the Olympics and don't grab, hold, slash, interfere, etc. when they are battling for the puck in games with the IOC refs because those refs call everything. NHL refs don't call anything so everyone does it. Which also increases parity between the players too. So having Crosby doesn't mean that much when Staal can crosscheck him in the back of the head repeatedly until he goes down. In an IOC game he'd probably get a game misconduct for that.
- jfkst1

I personally believe the refs in the NHL couldn't call it like that. They are so used to doing it wrong. But I would like it. It'd be interesting how it changes the game to make people like Downie and Farnham not only unneeded but a liability not matter the system.

How is asking a question jumping to conclusions? Not to mention you're the one jumping to the conclusion that Sid is bored of hockey. Pot meet kettle.
- Zac_O

Ok..one assumption...I stand corrected.

I wouldn't be the first to think Sid looks less enthused about the game than he used to.

Not too hard honestly, like J keeps saying, look at the Olympics. Those games are very skill dominant with little of this garbage dump and chase style offense that spawns from clutch and grab defense. People explain it by saying players don't care enough to check in the Olympics (horsepoop. The idea that no one cares about Olympic hockey is a purely American sentiment) and that Olympic ice is bigger which allows for more dipsy doodles. There might be something to the second argument, but proper Olympic reffing has a lot to do with it, proving that it can be done.
- Victoro311

The 2010 Olympics were played on NA ice surfaces if anyone wants an image of what I would like to see the in the NHL. There was plenty of defensive structure in games, but not the parity inducing obstruction the NHL refs allow.

I personally believe the refs in the NHL couldn't call it like that. They are so used to doing it wrong. But I would like it. It'd be interesting how it changes the game to make people like Downie and Farnham not only unneeded but a liability not matter the system.
- Zac_O

Then the NHL should fire them and pay IOC refs to come over. Problem solved.

Not too hard honestly, like J keeps saying, look at the Olympics. Those games are very skill dominant with little of this garbage dump and chase style offense that spawns from clutch and grab defense. People explain it by saying players don't care enough to check in the Olympics (horsepoop. The idea that no one cares about Olympic hockey is a purely American sentiment) and that Olympic ice is bigger which allows for more dipsy doodles. There might be something to the second argument, but proper Olympic reffing has a lot to do with it, proving that it can be done.
- Victoro311

I don't believe for a second players don't care about the Olympics. The Olympic sized ice would be interesting but very very unlikely.

Then the NHL should fire them and pay IOC refs to come over. Problem solved.
- jfkst1

Gotta agree with you there. "I've been doing it so wrong for so long" is the worst imaginable excuse ever. To me that translates into "I've been really bad at my job for a super long time and I should be fired." I'm sure there's plenty international refs that wouldn't mind comin over to the States to ref the most elite league in the world for the right price.

I don't believe for a second players don't care about the Olympics. The Olympic sized ice would be interesting but very very unlikely.
- Zac_O

Hey man just saying what people argue. I agree with you 100% that both reasons are horse especially the first one. I am the first person to get up in arms when my fellow Americans female dog about how NHL players shouldn't be allowed to play in the Olympics.

Gotta agree with you there. "I've been doing it so wrong for so long" is the worst imaginable excuse ever. To me that translates into "I've been really bad at my job for a super long time and I should be fired." I'm sure there's plenty international refs that wouldn't mind comin over to the States to ref the most elite league in the world for the right price.
- Victoro311

I'm sure NHL refs could make the changes required. The league just doesn't want them to. That's the issue. As for the reasons why; I'm guessing a combination of maintaining league parity, the old school hockey stupidity mindset, and concussion concerns are the reason the league allows it.

It's also not reasonable to expect the expansion teams to pickup a bunch of terrible contracts either. Reaching the cap floor won't be that hard and new owners aren't gonna wanna throw their money away on trash players for long term.
- jfkst1

We saw this happen with every expansion.

I'm sure NHL refs could make the changes required. The league just doesn't want them to. That's the issue. As for the reasons why; I'm guessing a combination of maintaining league parity, the old school hockey stupidity mindset, and concussion concerns are the reason the league allows it.
- jfkst1

Concussion concerns? Does clutch and grab help with that. I feel like any concussion concerns aliviated by slowing down the game are at best washed by the dirty hits that go uncalled by lax reffing.

We saw this happen with every expansion.
- Blackstrom2

Impossible. NTC/NMC didn't exist before in any other expansion in the NHL.

It's been discussed on other boards. Given the language of the CBA, NMCs may apply. And that's exactly the word used in the CBA; may.

Impossible. NTC/NMC didn't exist in any other expansion in the league.
- jfkst1

I'm talking about teams picking up certain contracts for other reasons, not ones with NMCs. A lot of weird transactions happen around the expansions drafts and seeing the two teams finding contracts with inflated hits doesn't seem like a stretch.

It's been discussed on other boards. Given the language of the CBA, NMCs may apply. And that's exactly the word used in the CBA; may.
- Blackstrom2

Keep thinking (hoping) that is the case. NHL teams and the NHLPA didn't like the Richards settlement for cap circumventing reasons. Teams and the PA will definitely be largely opposed to NMC being available in the expansion draft without consent.

As it applies to Orpik though, he has no NMC/NTC.

In fact, no Capital has a NMC.

As it applies to Orpik though, he has no NMC/NTC.

In fact, no Capital has a NMC.
- Blackstrom2

Says he has an 8 team NTC.
http://www.generalfanager.com/players/1965

Says he has an 8 team NTC.
http://www.generalfanager.com/players/1965
- jfkst1

That was on his last contract.

Keep thinking (hoping) that is the case. NHL teams and the NHLPA didn't like the Richards settlement for cap circumventing reasons. Teams and the PA will definitely be largely opposed to NMC being available in the expansion draft without consent.
- jfkst1

Thing is that everyone gets screwed in an expansion draft or so to speak. Teams get screwed because they have to expose people they don't want to because the league decided to form new teams. Why would they be opposed to exposing players with NMCs when every team in the league has bad contracts? I can see the PA being super opposed to it but not the teams

Keep thinking (hoping) that is the case. NHL teams and the NHLPA didn't like the Richards settlement for cap circumventing reasons. Teams and the PA will definitely be largely opposed to NMC being available in the expansion draft without consent.
- jfkst1

I like how hte NFL does it. If you suck you get cut. Only some money is guaranteed. When you sign a contract there are expectation on both sides. The owner expects a certain level of play, while the player expects to be paid for services rendered for a period of time. In the NHL, you can sign a deal then basically coast and still get paid. Sure they can put you on waivers but the team is still on the hook. I wish they could tell Scuds, you suck and not performing at a NHL level you're done. Make life easier on everyone.

That was on his last contract.
- Blackstrom2

Then he'll almost definitely be eligible in the expansion draft. Still doubt he'll be selected unless the expansion management teams are terrible.

I like how hte NFL does it. If you suck you get cut. Only some money is guaranteed. When you sign a contract there are expectation on both sides. The owner expects a certain level of play, while the player expects to be paid for services rendered for a period of time. In the NHL, you can sign a deal then basically coast and still get paid. Sure they can put you on waivers but the team is still on the hook. I wish they could tell Scuds, you suck and not performing at a NHL level you're done. Make life easier on everyone.
- sammy87

I also like the way players can restructure in the NHL. Sure sometimes you'll get poop heads who hold out in order to try to squeeze more money but it rarely works. A lot of the time you get over the hill vets willingly restructuring so that they can stay on the team. Scuderi willingly restructuring in order to save face in the event of an imanent cut would have done wonders for the team.

I like how hte NFL does it. If you suck you get cut. Only some money is guaranteed. When you sign a contract there are expectation on both sides. The owner expects a certain level of play, while the player expects to be paid for services rendered for a period of time. In the NHL, you can sign a deal then basically coast and still get paid. Sure they can put you on waivers but the team is still on the hook. I wish they could tell Scuds, you suck and not performing at a NHL level you're done. Make life easier on everyone.
- sammy87

I'll trade you orpik for him.

Then he'll almost definitely be eligible in the expansion draft. Still doubt he'll be selected unless the expansion management teams are terrible.
- jfkst1

You say that but how much talent actually makes it to the expansion draft since you can protect nine forwards, five d, and a goalie. Guys like Devonte Smith Pelly would be the upper echelon of desireable young talent in the expansion draft.

I think everyone should give this article a read. I think it really sums everything up properly.

http://penslabyrinth.com/...reasons-to-dress-scuderi/

I'll trade you orpik for him.
- Blackstrom2

If Shero were still GM he probably would. He would want that 09 cup experience to the club. Never mind that Crosby, Letang, Malkin, Kuni, Dupes, MAF, Scuds all have that.